Some of the workers of our cafe

As my time in Florence comes to an end I am forced to reflect upon the fact that I will soon be torn apart from a place that somehow has become home in such a short period of time. It may sound dramatic and devastating but once you go through it you know that is exactly how it feels- dramatic and devastating. 

As I consider the emotional turmoil I am going through I have wondered what has made this city feel like home so fast. After much thought I have narrowed it down to a few different factors that I decided would be beneficial to share so others can find their home in Florence much like I did. 

one of the workers of said cafe who came to Greece with us

I think one of the most important things to start with is making an effort to not compare your experience with the peers around you. What someone else might enjoy might not be what you enjoy and that is perfectly okay. Do not feel like you have to do something just because it is what others are doing. It may seem like an obvious statement but at times it can feel like you should be doing certain things while in this new place for a limited amount of time but it is important you only do what makes you comfortable and happy. 

My next piece of advice is while yes, use this time to travel and see new places, also use this time to live in Florence. You are likely to have opportunities in the future to travel to all these places, but how often will you have the opportunity to live in Florence? It’s important to remember to spend time in your home city as well and it makes traveling back home from all these other destinations so much better. 

one of my favorite spots in Florence perfect for picnics

Similarly another crumb of advice I would give is while yes, try as many new places in Florence as you can, also find one place to be your spot. You don’t have to go everyday or even

every week but find some sort of spot where you make yourself part of the community. For me my spot has become the cafe I am currently writing this blog post at. Although this may be an extreme example as the workers have now become my close friends, having a certain spot where you become a regular and you can integrate yourself with the community is something that can make a place feel like home fast. 

Matheus from In Vino Veritas always with a great wine recommendation

My final piece of advice for making Florence your home is a simple point of being present and paying attention to every single detail. In the final couple weeks of your time in the new place you call home you will find yourself desperate to absorb every detail of the city from the unique textures of the cobblestone to the sounds of the tram and smells of the pasticceria outside of your apartment. As you get used to living in Florence it might seem easy to get used to all these little pieces that make Florence Florence, but I encourage you to remain in a constant state of appreciation for these things as it will be these odd little details you miss first. 

As the unavoidable day of May 10th draws near I am extremely grateful for every moment of my time here and am proud of how much Florence has become home for me in these short few months. I am constantly aware of how insanely unique this experience has been and cannot wait to return to this place in future years to this wonderful home I’ve made.

Written by: Jaidyn, Spring 2025 Florence student from College of Charleston